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Westbury High students urge board to expand AP, STEM and arts pathways
Summary
Several Westbury High sophomores told the school board Nov. 19 they want more AP course options and stronger in‑house arts and STEM pathways; the superintendent said the district offers multiple AP sciences and is open to adding courses if there is sustained student interest.
Several Westbury High School students urged the Westbury Union Free School District Board of Education on Nov. 19 to expand Advanced Placement and elective course offerings, arguing that one‑year AP options and broader arts and STEM pathways would better prepare students for college and careers.
"There isn't many options to do here regarding their future outside of schooling and college," said Alejandro Velasco, a sophomore, who asked the board to consider AP physics (calculus‑based and algebra‑based), AP music theory, AP French and other single‑year AP courses as alternatives to the two‑year IB commitment. "I feel that an AP French, a 1 year AP French, will help me see if I want to do that."
The request was part of a series of student public‑comment remarks that included Dante Brown, who said more AP and extracurricular options aimed at arts and performance would help students who do not fit a strictly STEM‑oriented pathway. Dylan Reyes and other students described existing research partnerships and extracurricular gaps in STEM practice opportunities.
Superintendent Dr. Chase and district staff thanked the students for speaking and said the district is already reviewing pathways and course offerings. Mr. Galavan (the transcript identifies him as a district leader) told students the district maintains "quite a rich selection of AP sciences and AP maths" and said the district will consider new courses if there is sustained interest and staffing to support them. "If there's an interest enough to sustain a course offering, we're all on board," he said, and invited students to meet with department chairs and participate in strategic‑planning discussions.
Board members also described steps already under way for the arts. Trustees noted an existing partnership with BOCES and with the Long Island School of the Arts that allows some students to attend part time while the district builds in‑house capacity for musical theater, choral and other performing arts offerings.
The board did not take immediate action to add courses at the Nov. 19 meeting but encouraged students to follow up with school leadership and counseling staff so the district can assess demand and staffing needs. Trustees asked that students interested in new pathways help the district gauge enrollment interest and work with chairs to explore viable course schedules.
